Random ramblings from the cluttered brain of a Brit ex-pat North Devonian trying to keep cool in the steamy summers and warm in the frosty winters of The Great White North.

Friday, 3 August 2007

Condo Living & Scoring a Century

Twentyfive years ago, when OlderSon was in Grade 4 and YoungerSon was still in his pram, my husband built this Bird Condo. There were no blueprints or plans, he just created it in the back workshop one winter.It was supposed to attract Purple Martins but the Sparrows got there first.

Many generations of Sparrows have taken their first flights here over the years, but eventually the harsh weather took it's toll, the roof fell in, the plywood buckled, the paint peeled, and it had seen better days. Not many of the 27 apartments were still warm and dry, and the birds decided to look for more suitable accommodation.

Then The Space Cadet came along and magically rebuilt it. And the birds moved back in.... still no Purple Martins, but lots of Sparrows.

The rings around the holes are repairs made after an enormous black squirrel climbed the post last summer and made a meal of some of the babies, and tried to make a meal of the birdhouse too.

Ha! Damn tree rats!

This year we've enjoyed watching lots of families grow up and take flight. This hardworking mum spends all day feeding 4 hungry bossy squawking noisy chicks. And it's mum doing all the work, I've only seen dad there a couple of times.

I suppose he's busy at the office.

Try to imagine this: these pictures were taken by balancing a chair on the small patio table, then balancing binoculars on the chair with the left hand, and holding my little Nikon Coolpix 2100 digi camera zoomed in to the binoculars right lens with my right hand, and trying to hold the whole contraption steady without wobbling until there was a picture worth taking!

Scoring a Century

Guess what, this is my 100th post! Yes, I've pressed the "Publish Post" button 100 times since last November. And to celebrate, there's a little prezzie for somone... not sure what the prezzie is yet, but it will be something nice. All commenters on this post will have their name put in a hat and one of you will be the lucky winner.

Thanks to everyone for reading this. I'm having so much fun getting to know you all. And I'm ready to start the next 100 posts ASAP!

What a labour of love that bird box must have been, it is great to see something which a loved one as spent time and effort to make doing the job it was intended for still going after all those years.

Each spring must be like the sparrows paying you back for your kindness, being able to watch the parents making nests and rearing young is a joyous thing and one I always look forward to.Great pictures and a great post for your 100t, very well done.

It's YOU who deserves the present! You should write in to Camera Monthly, or whatever with that camera trick! How to photograph birds through the binoculars while balancing . . . Happy one-hundreth post to you; you always have something interesting to say!

Yes, happy 100th! Thought I'd come visit at your blog since you were kind enough to ask about grandchildren.Noah, 9 and his sister, Amina 7, I get to go see them in a few weeks, YAY!Thank you for the wonderful bird pictures. I have a couple of birdhouses that a friends husband made but no birds have taken up residence...maybe I should put them in a tree or something.

CONGRATULATIONS on your 100th post, AND, CONGRSTULATIONS on those wonderful pictures,...I know how difficult it is to do what you did...lol....My Hummers are far awat and fast fast fast...but it is so very satisfying taking photos of these wonderful birds, isn't it?

Happy blog #100. You have done great and i have enjoyed your postings and getting to know you.I must say...Well done on capturing those babies and their Mom. What we won't do to get just the right picture.

REPLY ALL:So, have you all tried taking photos through binoculars yet? It's not easy, let me tell you!The babies are almost ready to leave the nest, mummy bird is encouraging them to fly but they haven't taken the plunge yet.And thanks to everyone for the congratulations on my 100th post. It's been a blast doing it so far, although Blogger can be temperamental at times. Right now I'm having difficulty saving changes on my sidebar page. Anyone else having the same problem?All your names will go into a hat and someone will be lucky... and NO, Dogbait, it's not a trip to Ontario!!

Well, as I picked you out to be the lucky winner of Sue's 100, I now have the right to put myself forward to your 100th post. Many congratualtions on your posts, I am just a beginner and just getting my head around it, a few false starts but I think I am now getting there! Your photos are fantastic, I am am am an avid reader now.Best of luck in the future and may we have many more conversations.Love Gillie xxx

About Me

Enjoying life! I'm well over the halfway mark so I'm not wasting any time grumbling. Empty nest Mum to two young men who are embarking on life's journey, and doing it with style, confidence and enthusiasm, accompanied by their lovely wives. And now I'm Nana to three gorgeous little boys and a beautiful little girl. Lucky me!